Floods are here again
Floods that come with torrential rainfall in this part of the world are here once again. Flooding that causes property losses and sometimes loss of lives as well visits us almost every year, although it varies in the degree of havoc caused. As part of the Nigeria Metrological Agency’s (NiMeT) annual forecasts, it regularly indicates […]
Floods that come with torrential rainfall in this part of the world are here once again. Flooding that causes property losses and sometimes loss of lives as well visits us almost every year, although it varies in the degree of havoc caused. As part of the Nigeria Metrological Agency’s (NiMeT) annual forecasts, it regularly indicates if and where flooding is likely to occur. In its 2017 rainfall prediction issued in March, the agency predicted massive flooding in Ogun, Oyo, Sokoto, Niger, Kwara and Adamawa states for this year.
Already, before this year’s rainy season reaches its peak in most parts of the country, many states have already been affected by floods with some lives lost while many houses and farmlands were destroyed. Heavy rain has led to the collapse of two bridges at Tatabu village, about 15km from Jebba and just before Mokwa in Niger State while a bridge was washed away at Bokani which lies between Mokwa and Tegina also in Niger State. The south western states have also witnessed heavy rainfall and flooding so far this year, with buildings and vehicles being swept away during a six-hour downpour in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. In the Imo State capital Owerri, houses were also destroyed by flood. Then also, two children died and over 200 houses were destroyed in Dadin Kowa town of Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State.
It is unfortunate from the foregoing that despite the timely weather forecast by NiMeT and the early warning it served about likely flooding, the authorities as well as the people largely ignored it and waited until the inevitable happened. Granted that flood is a natural disaster, but human activities in many instances contribute to it and therefore if certain actions are taken, the impact could be mitigated. Government should embark on repairs of bridges and drainage channels while the people should clear waterways near their houses and end the bad practice of using these as refuse dumps. Partly due to land pressure, many people also build their houses in flood prone areas, in river valleys, swampy areas and in dry river beds. These are all areas which rivers and streams reclaim during the rainy season and residents suddenly find their houses full of water.
No doubt the authorities at all levels, particularly state and local government authorities, bear the blame for this. No matter the land pressure and no matter the insistence by people, it is incumbent on authorities to mark some areas as no-go for building houses. They must not look the other way while people erect houses in river valleys and other flood prone areas, only for them to turn around and cry for relief and compensation when water eventually sacks them from those houses.
Governments at all levels should return to the drawing board and execute proper town planning policies. Many areas have been turned into urban slums without proper planning for drainages. Such areas are a disaster waiting to happen after a heavy downpour. While the rainy season here is crucial to our agriculture, pasture and vegetation, our perennial lack of planning and the general indiscipline and short sightedness of citizens has often turned water into an enemy instead of a friend. Dams are a very good way to control the flow of water, prevent damaging floods and also save the water for future use. While we have hundreds of large and small dams in this country, they are clearly not being put to optimal use in the management of rainfall.
Rainy season should be a blessing with anticipation of bumper harvest rather than a period characterised by loss of lives, houses, farmland and other properties. It is embarrassing to say the least to neglect the needful, only to rush in with “relief materials” when citizens are displaced by flooding. A stitch in time saves nine.